Increased Victims Identified in NHS Child Abuse Investigation, Police Report

Authorities probing past instances of child abuse at two former NHS mental health facilities in West Sussex have reported speaking with 12 alleged victims, with indications that additional individuals may come forward.

One former patient, who was just nine years old at the time, has recounted harrowing experiences of being sexually assaulted by a staff member at Larchwood and Colwood, located in Haywards Heath. The individual, referred to by the pseudonym Christopher, detailed that his first encounter with abuse occurred in the late 1970s when a staff member enticed him outside to gather flowers for his mother.

Christopher vividly recalls the traumatic event that unfolded in the woods, stating, “That was the daffodil day – it’s always stuck with me.” Sussex Police’s investigation focuses on allegations from former patients of both facilities, with incidents occurring during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, prior to their closures in the early 2000s.

Allegations of Systematic Abuse

Both Larchwood and Colwood were designed to provide inpatient care and educational services for vulnerable children facing neurodiversity or mental health challenges. While Larchwood catered to younger children, adolescents were placed at Colwood.

Christopher shared that he was sent to Larchwood by his parents in the late 1970s after exhibiting disruptive behavior at home, ceasing to attend school, and attempting to end his own life. In a candid interview, he described the ordeal of being repeatedly assaulted by a male staff member.

“[The staff member] said to me, ‘your mum’s coming tonight, do you want to get some daffodils? I know where you can get the biggest best daffodils and you can surprise your mum with them.'”

He agreed, believing it would be a delightful surprise for his mother. However, the outing took a dark turn when the staff member led him to a secluded area, where Christopher recounted that he was assaulted. “I was crying, saying please stop, please stop, you’re hurting me – it was really painful, nothing I’ve experienced like that. Just fear,” he recounted.

Christopher mentioned that he endured further assaults from the same staff member, expressing that the perpetrator understood how to manipulate the system, feeling assured that he would not face consequences for his actions.

Additional Testimonies and Police Response

Others who claim to have been patients at Larchwood or Colwood during the same period have also come forward with similar allegations of abuse. Linda, a pseudonym for another former patient, described the environment at Colwood in the late 1990s as one marked by inadequate care, neglect, and physical mistreatment.

She recalled an incident involving a severely distressed young patient, stating, “There was a really poorly girl who was really psychotic waiting for me to help her.” Linda also recounted witnessing a staff member physically assault a young girl. “He just picked her up and threw her a good two metres across the room,” she added.

Sussex Police have identified several potential suspects, none of whom are currently believed to hold positions of trust or present any ongoing danger to the public. Two men, now in their 60s and 70s, have been interviewed, but so far, no arrests have been made.

Detective Inspector Cheryl Lewendon emphasized the importance of the investigation, stating, “There are a lot of people we’re still trying to identify. We want to speak to as many individuals as possible who were present during those times to help us with this case.”

Calls for Accountability and Support

Addressing past criticisms of their investigatory practices, Detective Inspector Lewendon acknowledged that the response to allegations made in the 1990s and 2000s fell short of what was necessary. “We didn’t do the right thing back then, allegations were made and investigated in silo,” she admitted.

Both Larchwood and Colwood operated under NHS entities that predate the current NHS Trust. A representative from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which now oversees child and adolescent mental health services in the region, expressed support for the police investigation and the importance of coming forward.

“We acknowledge how difficult it must be for people to come forward to share their experiences of abuse and our thoughts are with them,” they stated.

The police department initiated a public appeal for information in June, and Christopher, along with other alleged victims, has called for a formal apology from the NHS regarding the historical abuses.